"Yes the George Maloney Home did exist at the
Maloneyville location from about 1939 until the closing of Hillcrest
Nursing Institute in 1986. Basically Knox County Pauper records policy
was to destroy all records after seven years, but some records have been
spared over the years. There is an unconfirmed rumor that Hillcrest
Beverly has some of the patient records but refuse to release them to
the County Archives because of the Privacy Laws. I do have partial
records for burials from three separate cemeteries which were and are
located at the farm. By the way the cemeteries are not on the jail
property, but on the adjoining Golf Course. And also George Maloney was
not the first workhouse/Poor House, There are mentions of at least four
others dating back to the 1850's. Hope this helps some one!"Robert
McGinnis RMcgi81640@aol.comFrom the KnoxCoTN e-mail list on 7/3/200

PERSONAL
NOTES FROM READERS:

"I know there was a poorhouse in KNOX County,
Knoxville, Tennessee. My g-grand father was there from abt 1930-34. It was
called 'The George Mahoney Home' in a place called Mahoneyville,
Knoxville, Tennessee. I went there and a state prison is there now.
I went to the McClungs Library in Knoxville and a helpful Librarian said yes,
there was a place BUT no records were kept. I feel like there should have been
some kind of records somewhere."daffadil@alltel.net

"You wrote about the Knoxville Poor House and I have a
little information that may help with some leads. I cannot back
up the information with documentation, as I no longer am able to
travel.
My great great grandfather, Elijah
Humphrey and his second wife (believed to be called Sarah) were
residents of the Poor Farm in Knox County, according to family
lore. I was able to find them on the 1910 census and am
convinced that their location on the census was the old Poor
Farm.Others may find
their own family there, as well.Elijah
Humphrey was a Rebel soldier during the War Between the States.
He hailed from Sneedsville, TN, but ended up in Knoxville after
the Civil War. I don't know how long he and his wife, a Native
American woman, lived at the Farm. They are supposed to be
buried at Ebenezer Cemetery."
Lian Thomas

"Yes,
there was a poorhouse in Knoxville. I visited there when a boy with my
mother. We had a friend, a Granny West, who had lived in a room of my
cousin’s house on West Scott Street before going out there.
I
remember my mother sent me to take food and wood to her when I was a
boy. I used to sing and talk to her and try to cheer her up. Her
children had all deserted her. She had a daughter as I recall. Her name
was Annie. Mrs. West reminded me of the old song “Rocking Along In an
Old Rocking Chair” by Eddy Arnold. She gave to me a little song book
which her father carried with him when he was a boy. It was her most
prized possession. I was greatly honored.
I
met an old Cherokee man there, I remember his last words to me. He said,
“My son, I don’t know if we will ever meet again in this life. If we
don’t, let us meet up above (heaven).” He was a beautiful person
with long white hair down to his shoulders. I will never forget him or
Granny West.
I
don’t know why there are no records of the Home or the people there. I
would like to know all about my friends there and where they are buried.
If any one finds out, will you please let me know." Chuck
Ballard

RECORDS:

CEMETERIES:

We are hoping to build this
base of information about the poorhouse in Knox
county
through the helpful participation of readers. All are requested
to submit items of interest by sending e-mail
to The Poorhouse Lady.